Sunday, December 23, 2007

Last Monday, the most important person in my life had past away, my Grandpa. I have not really been the same since his passing and I cannot express how attached I was to him. He was much more than a Grandparent, but more a second Father. In many ways, he an I were the same person. The best way I can honor him to the public would be through music. I have a particular song for each of the faithful departed that abruptly exited my life. For my Grandpa, I have chosen Jimmy Eat World "Hear You Me."

There's no one in town I knowYou gave us some place to go.I never said thank you for that.I thought I might get one more chance.What would you think of me now,so lucky, so strong, so proud?I never said thank you for that,now I'll never have a chance.May angels lead you in.Hear you me my friends.On sleepless roads the sleepless go.May angels lead you in.So what would you think of me now,so lucky, so strong, so proud?I never said thank you for that,now I'll never have a chance.May angels lead you in. Hear you me my friends.On sleepless roads the sleepless go.May angels lead you in.May angels lead you in.May angels lead you in.And if you were with me tonight,I'd sing to you just one more time.A song for a heart so big, God wouldn't let it live.May angels lead you in.Hear you me my friends.On sleepless roads the sleepless go.May angels lead you in.May angels lead you in.Hear you me my friends.On sleepless roads the sleepless go.May angels lead you in.May angels lead you in.I will miss you...1933-2007

A few of my friends and also fellow music experts/lovers took a look at my Best of 2007 list and came up with their own. The following gentlemen were Bill Reese a music journalist and long time collaborator, Rich Delgado (Rich D Smoov), a NYC DJ and former hardcore singer and finally Mike Clancey, a co manager with me at WQAQ and editor. Three experts with three different opinions. It is fun to look at each man's list.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

The boys is Patent Pending never cease to amaze me with their humor and quality music. Here is their latest single and video all gift wrapped for your holiday enjoyment, its called "She's A Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas."

Saturday, December 8, 2007

For me this truly is the most wonderful time of the year. It is the time when we all reflect on the past 12 months and look at the road ahead. In the coming weeks we will hear about award season nominations and all that keeps us entertained and excited about honoring the achievements in the arts. This is the last and probably most important of my year end lists. My 10 best picks of the year for film will not come out until March after I can fully savor the films and pick them apart. Music however, unlike Hollywood, does not have to come out for a specific season and truly is a year long process to figure out the best. So without further ado, here are my picks for the 10 best albums of the year (in both short list and long form)

Short list for those with ADD:10 Bruce Springsteen - Magic9 The Shins - Wincing the Night Away8 The Good, The Bad, and The Queen7 Jarvis Cocker - Jarvis6 Amy Winehouse - Back to Black5 Arcade Fire - Neon Bible4 The Fratellis - Costello Music3 Bloc Party - A Weekend in the City2 Bjork - Volta1 Radiohead - In Rainbows

Long form with Explanations:

10. Bruce Springsteen - MagicIf you notice, there are not many American musicians on my list this year. It was a lackluster year for music from this country, but the boss gave his homeland music some life and controversy. "This is not about magic, but about tricks," Springsteen stated in October at Madison Square Garden, he was referring to the Bush administration and what they have done to suck the life out of the American people. Magic tells all of this, whether or not you agree or disagree with Bruce, his points are valid and while pushing 60 he can still continue to stir the pot.Key Tracks: Radio Nowhere, Terry's Song (Secret Song)

9. The Shins - Wincing the Night AwayNatalie Portman and Zach Braff may have put this West Coast band's foot in the door, but their strong musical abilities kept the door wide open. The Shins embraced a very unique and eclectic sound on Wincing the Night Away. The album makes you feel as if you are floating in the air and suspended over the world, much like the opening to Terry Gilliam's Brazil, but by the end of the record you have safely returned to the soil and only want to go back up for more.Key Tracks: Sleeping Lessons, Phantom Limb8.The Good, The Bad, and The QueenCertainly the most underrated of all of the super groups to emerge in the past years. Combining the musical talents of Damian Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), Paul Simonon (The Clash), Simon Tong (The Verve), African drummer Tony Allen and Danger Mouse. You will not find a stronger lineup in any new band. Mixing dub, rock, folk and even doo-wop. The album is an eye opener and a middle finger to the English monarchy past and present as well as showing us how history has an odd way of repeating itself. An intelligent disc from some of today's smartest artist, we need more from this band in years to come.Key Tracks: Kingdom of Doom, Solder's Tale

7. Jarvis Cocker - JarvisOne of the U.K's most prolific songwriters finally releases his much anticipated solo debut. Jarvis Cocker, the former front man of Pulp has been taking his time to perfect his musical autobiography. Between the demise of Pulp and creating this record, Jarvis has been writing with the likes of Nancy Sinatra, Johnny Greenwood, and Air. Jarvis, is a very personal record about love, life and loss. His seductive voice, witty lyrics and great musical composition are enough to make you to just want to hit the repeat button on your music player once the record comes to its end.Key Tracks: Don't Let Him Waste Your Time, From Auschwitz to Ipswich

6. Amy Winehouse - Back to BlackShe maybe the biggest train wreck of the year and a tabloid's wet dream, but Amy Winehouse is one of the most talented singers and songwriter's out there right now. I hate the fact that it came to a shock to everyone this past week when the Grammy's were announced and she received six nominations. Winehouse is good, she is not some corporate slave pop singer, like some other train wrecks we know. She is what the Ronette's and Aretha Franklin wish they could have been able to do back in the 50's. Winehouse has no problem not holding anything back in her lyrics and that is one of the reason's we love her so much. She takes 50's doo-wop, soul and jazz and injects it with feminism, personality and controversy. Back to Black is not to be missed.Key Tracks: Back to Black, You Know I'm No Good

5. Arcade Fire - Neon BibleTo sum up this whole record in with just one word - "Wow." Every band with one album out should take note, if you want to know how to define the sophomore slump and create a brilliant second disc, listen to Neon Bible. The Canadian 10 piece stormed back from their 2004 debut, Funeral, with a record about modern times. A much more mature album, they may have lost their random dance breakdown's in the middle of songs, but picked up a narrative writing style that rivals most poets. They express what they do not like in this world, our obsession with young celebrity, war, and how we respond to natural disaster. Their combination of folk and classical with a punk edge makes them appeal to the masses.Key Tracks: Keep the Car Running, [anti-Christ television blues]4. The Fratellis - Costello MusicThe most happy-go-lucky record to have been released this year. A throwback to garage rock and early punk, Scotland's The Fratellis have made their mark as the most fun you will have listening to anything in 2007. They may be best known for their Ipodcomerical, but there is so much more from Costello Music that will have you jumping and jiving. If this record does not make you want to get up throw your arms and the air and let loose, you better check your pulse and make sure you are still alive.Key Tracks: Flathead, Ole Black 'n Blue Eyes3. Bloc Party - A Weekend in the CityI can not seem to understand how many people managed to tear this record apart and say very bad things about it. A Weekend in the City is a much more polished and mature record from one my favorite British Bands, it is the same as Silent Alarm but different. Bloc Party may have grown up and are looking for a more danceable approach to their style, but that does not mean it is bad. Combining lyrics about sex and drug use and caffeine micro beats, mixed with infectious grooves in the sound, it is a album with many layers and complexities. Yet, the most fascinating thing about this record is its universal appeal. It is through an through a European influenced album that can be taken anywhere. No matter where you wish to travel whether it is Munich, London or even my stomping ground of New York City, A Weekend in the City is the soundtrack to your escape.Key Tracks: Uniform, On2. Bjork - VoltaI am going to vent my frustration again, sorry to do this two albums in a row, but I need to get it off my chest. I hate it when people refuse to listen to Bjork because she is "weird, crazy or different." She is music for the open minded and maybe far too advanced for certain brainwaves to understand, but for me she is just perfect. Indeed, she may have put out some very experimental records like 2004's Medulla, a all A Capella record, that many may just not have been ready for. However, Volta is her way of reaching the top of her mainstream again. Teaming up with 2007's hottest producer Timbaland, she has combined electro, trance, African drum and rock in one of her most eclectic and prolific albums in years. Volta is a must own, even if you are a fan or not, there is certainly something for everyone on this.Key Tracks: Wanderlust, Declare Independence

1. Radiohead - In RainbowsMaybe it is because they told EMI to fuck off, maybe it is because they realize the golden age of album collecting maybe coming to an end and we need to adapt, maybe it is because they are musical geniuses. Whatever it is, Radiohead are always ahead of their time and are always willing to take chances. In Rainbows is no exception, announcing on their website just a week before they intended to release the new material, Radiohead told fans "pay whatever you want," and even do whatever you want with it. Granted an established band like so has the ability to do so, but the fact they did it is just very cool. Much respect to this band and this record, and it sums up the year perfectly. 2007 will be remembered in music (or at least in my eyes) as a very globally influenced year and it proves that music is still our strongest form of communication.Key Tracks: 15th Step, Weird Fishes / Arpeggi

So that is it, a musical look back at the year that was. Thanks for reading and sticking with it. I promise I will not be posted long articles like this for a bit.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

In the month we look at the anniversary that would silence the greatest voice in music history, we must also reflect on what John Lennon has given us. While his solo career be marked by Imagine and Double Fantasy, it is Sometime In New York City that we see the true Lennon. Back by the Elephants Memory band, John and Yoko not only get political but personal on the 1972 recording. Writing songs like "Woman is the N**** of the World," and "Attica State," Lennon puts all of his anger and frustration of America and his native land of the U.K. on wax. Lennon also talks about his heritage for the first time (he is of course half English and half Irish), writing about that clash of English and Irish in "Sunday Bloody Sunday," something U2 would bring more to the mainstream, and Lennon's look into the life of his brethren in "Luck of the Irish." John touches on all subjects of creed, race, religion and ideology. With its cover mocking the New York Times and printing the albums controversial lyrics on the jacket, Lennon did not hold anything back and took all chances when writing one of his most profound and overlooked pieces to date. However, with all the bad, Lennon also wrote about the good. His love for the record's mother city in "New York City," and his love of course for Yoko on "Don't Worry Kyoko." If you have not herd Sometime in New York City or maybe you have, in 2005 Yoko remastered the record for CD and added bonus tracks of "Xmas Time" and "Listen the Snow is Falling." If there is anything you should stuff your stocking with, add this to your music list this Christmas.

So it is December and while most of us bask in the annual holiday classics such as Home Alone, It's A Wonderful Life and Elf, Danny Boyle's 2004 Holiday story maybe one of the best and certainly the most overlooked. No one would ever think a film from the man that brought us the drug inducedTrainspotting and the violent 28 Days Later, would do a family oriented film. However, Boyle, probably one of the most underrated directors in the business, is not only a master storyteller but also a visionary. Millions, a simple film about two brothers who recently lost their mother, are gearing up for the holiday season. While preparations for their first Christmas without their mom they stumble across millions of dollars and are in a paradox on what to do with the cash. The eldest brother, Anthony, a witty teenager wants to spend it all, while his younger brother, the good hearted Damion wants to give it all away to the poor. Through a series of visits from various Saints, Damion takes opportunity into his own hands, while acting on his heart and innocents, it is just that that gets him into trouble. Boyle, takes two unknown actors Alex Etel (Damion) and Lewis McGibbon (Anthony) and gets performances out of them that would rival some of today's veteran actors. Millions is not only masterfully crafted and full of imagination, it is also backed by a fantastic soundtrack. Forget your typical "Carol of the Bells," Boyle opted to take tracks from Muse, The Clash and Feeder to back the young boys journey. If you see any film this holiday season, new or old, Millions should not be missed.